put/set somebody to work

put (one) to work

To give one a particular task to do. We're here to help, so just put us to work wherever you need us.Whenever I come home for a visit, my mom wastes no time putting me to work—last time, I had to vacuum the whole house!

set someone or something to work

to start someone or something working; to cause someone or something to begin functioning. The captain set everyone to work repairing the tears in the fabric of the sails. We will set the machines to work at the regular time.

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